Insights 9: Perseverance

Thoughtful quotations:

“Going as far as can, with everything you have been given” Play to Win

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again” Edwin Pons

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act but a habit” Aristotle

Context for reflection:

Perseverance shows itself best when we reach beyond what we expect to achieve. When we try something new. When we really challenge ourselves to function “outside our comfort zones”. It is about being prepared to face our fatal fears, including the fears of failure, not belonging and emotional discomfort. Perseverance requires courage. It leaves us with that knot in the stomach.

Given the enormity of change we are living through with the pandemic and change in our world, the need to persevere and achieve beyond our normal reach is an important leadership quality. Being able to persuade ourselves to say: “I can”, “I will” and then doing just that! Not giving up on ourselves. As leaders, showing a promise of being prepared to ask the tough questions, to show the courage of our convictions and continually work towards them, no matter the consequence is the perseverance that followers expect their leaders to show with a quiet resilience yet obvious example.

In today’s world it is too easy to smooth over, move on to the next thing, minimising or ignoring what is important or what we committed to at the start. It is too easy to give up on ourselves when the going gets tough. But true leaders are not afraid to fail, lose popularity and show emotional vulnerability, for it is these battles that show true character of a leader we can follow. Not a “yes” person! Perseverance defines a leader who is not just words but action in the toughest of circumstances.

A question for you:

• What would you say to your younger self in terms of courage and perseverance?

• When last did face up to a challenge that caused you real fear of failure?

• Where in your life have you had your most courageous moment? How should you replicate such moments?

Drafted in all humility as I continue my journey of discovery. It is indeed challenging, with so much to remember and learn.

Andrew Pons

References:

Urban, H, Life’s Greatest Lessons, First Edition, Fireside, 2003

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